University Residences geared up to greet incoming students

"Working closely with university admissions officials, we anticipated this increase in housing requests and began preparations early," said Barbara Frazee, executive director of University Residences. "Beginning students and their families continue to tell us they want to live in the residences for a positive transition to college and to fully experience the benefits of campus life.

"They cite popular dining options, community building activities and convenience as the main reasons they choose University Residences. Traditionally, University Residences houses 87 percent of the beginning student population on a voluntary basis; this year, we expect that number to be approximately 90 percent."

Purdue has experienced growth in beginning students the last three years, and University Residences has worked each year to meet the increased demand for housing. In anticipation of this growth, University Residences retained 156 spaces originally scheduled for conversion to offices in Young Hall. Purdue Village, traditionally home to students with families, now houses 135 single students.

"We do our absolute best to accommodate every student who wants to live in University Residences," said Robert Heitert, director of administration for University Residences. "We know that those who live with us perform better academically and have greater retention rates."

In order to accommodate additional residents this fall, as it has done in the past, Purdue is converting study rooms and lounges to living spaces, a practice common at universities. Approximately 170 students who applied late for housing will be assigned to temporary living spaces at some point, Heitert said.

"Students who applied late in the process have been told that if they want to stay on campus, they will be housed in these converted areas. We want them to know what they can expect when they arrive," Frazee said. "However, only their living spaces will be different. Students living in temporary spaces will be provided the same residential life, dining and programs provided to those students in regular spaces."

With a regular capacity of around 11,500 in campus housing, Purdue has the largest residence hall system in the country among universities that do not require students to live on campus. Last year, around 30 percent of the total student population lived in University Residences — a figure comparable to peer institutions, she said.

More than 5,300 freshmen will begin moving into the residence halls Aug. 12 to participate in Purdue's voluntary student orientation program, Boiler Gold Rush.

The University Residences system is entirely self-supporting and receives no money from the state or tuition. More University Residences information is available online.

Classes at the West Lafayette campus start Aug. 21.

Writer: Christy Jones, (765) 494-1089, christyjones@purdue.edu

Sources: Barbara Frazee, (765) 494-1000, bjfrazee@purdue.edu

Robert Heitert, (765) 494-1000, rheitert@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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